Gas-meter



(No Model.) 4 snee ts-jsheet 1 J. STIDHAM -& J.'B. WALLACE.

GAS METER.

.Imen/ior.

XAM a, WM W22:

(No Model.)

4 Sh eets-Sheet 2. J. STIDHAM 8v J., B. WALLACE. GAS METER.

N0. 445,757. Patented Feb. 3,1891.

(No Model.) 4 sheets-sheet 3. J. STIDHAM & J. B. WALLACE.

GAS METER.

No. 445,757." Patented Feb. 3,1891.

we nonms PETERS co., wow-mum, WASHINGTON, o. c.

(No Model.) 4 SheetSS11eet'4.

J. STIDHAM & J. 'B. WALLACE.

GAS METER.

' No. 445,757. Patented Feb. 3, 1891.

being on the line m on, Fig. 1.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN STIDHAM, OF ROCHESTER, AND JACOB l3. \VALLACE, OF BEAVER FALLS, ASSIGNORS TO THE METRIC METAL COMPANY, OF BEAVER FALLS, PENNSYLVANIA.

GAS-METER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 445,757, dated February 8, 1891.

Application filed August 13,1890. Serial No. 361,910- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, JOHN STIDHAM, of Rochester, and JACOB B. WALLACE, of Beaver Falls, both in the county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, citizens of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Meters; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a meter embodying our invention, the outer casing and bellows-head or piston removed to show the valve-operating mechanism, and one of the valve-pockets shown in section. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, one set of levers which impart the movement of the bellows to the 'operatingrod and the spider which connects said levers to the bellows-head having been removed to show more clearly the toggle mechanism, sliding weight, and singletree for actuating the valves. Fig. 3 is an end view of the valve-operating mechanism, the section of the casing, outer and inner rings, &c.,

Fig. 4 is a detached plan view of the singletree and valverod which connects the valves, portions of the valves being shown attached thereto. Fig. 5 is a detached perspective view of the toggle-post, and Fig. 6 is a detached perspective view of the sliding weight for operating the toggle-joint.

Like symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur.

Our invention relates to the construction of that class of meters in which the measurement is effected by displacement from opposite sides of a reciprocating piston or pistons, (or bellows-heads,) and the inlet and outlet valves receive their motion from or are shifted by the pistons through suitable intermediate mechanism.

The several objects we have in view are as follows: first, the substantially instantaneous reversal of the inlet and outlet valves at the close of the piston movement and the holding of said valves tightly locked and seated until the period for their reversal ar rives, and this we accomplish by means of toggle-joint mechanism controlled by a shifting weight or weighted lever, which feature embodies the first point of our invention; second, to insure the accurate operation of the toggle-joint mechanism for reversing the valves, notwithstanding the meter may not set level, and this we accomplish by combining with said toggle-joint mechanism a vertical sliding shiftingweight, which feature embodies the second point of our invention; third, to enable both valves to be operated by one lever, and this we accomplish by com bining with the rod which couples the valves a singletree or slotted plate, through which passes one lever of the toggle, which feature embodies a third point of our invention.

There are other minor features of invention, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

iVe will now proceed to describe our inthe art to which it appertains may apply the same. A

In the drawings, 1 indicates the outer central ring of a meter casing or shell, provided with a suitable base 2, and having at opposite points ports or openings 1 for the attachment of the inlet and exit pipes, and 3 3 indicate the end sections, which when in .place complete the outer shell or casing and form the meter-chamber exterior to the bellows.

4: indicates the inner central ring or chamher which supports the operative mechanism of the meter. Said inner ring 4 is provided at opposite points corresponding to the position of ports 1 of the outer ring with passages or chambers which lead upward from ports 1 and constitute pockets 5 or receptacles immediately below the valves for collecting any dirt or dust and preventing it from entering the meter or clogging the valves.

Extending through the inner ring 4 at opposite points thereof are the valve-chambers 6 6, two in number, each having two seats 6-, one on the inside and the other on the outside of said inner central ring. These valvechambers O communicate with the valvevention morefully, so that others skilled in pockets 5, and areloeated in the upper part of the ring 4,111. order that the drainage shall be downward from the valves in the valvepockets, and thence through the inlet and outlet pipes away from the meter, in order to carry-01f and free the meter from moisture due-to condensation or other cause.

7 indicates leaf-guides arran god in th e val vechamber, so as to move easily in said chamber, and each of a length sufficiently greater than its valve-chamber to constitute the stroke of the valve. Attached to the stems of said leaf-guides 7 '7 at either end are the valves 7 7, &c., which may be of brass or other suitable metal with the usual facin of leather or equivalent material. These valves are connected by any suitable valve-rod 8, so as to move in unison or be shifted simultaneously.

Imthe present instancetsee-Figs. 2 and at) we have shown-for purposes ot'illustration a compound, a-valve-rod S composed of two parallel-twiirsections 8 8, each section provided at one end witlran arm 8 bywhich it is se curedto its valve at the opposite end with a pin18 to engage with its fellow and at a-suitable intermediatepoint with an eye 8 to'receivethe pin 8 of its fellow. Suclraconstructiono'f valve-rod allows for compensatingadjustment 0f--thc'valves-and has its ad- 0 vantages, but is not essential, as any other for1n-of= valve-rodwhichcou ples the valves so that they will movein-unison, can be substitutedforthe form of valve-rod shown. At substantially their mid-length we couple said twiirsections 8 S by means of a slotted plate or singletree 9, pivoted 011 each of said sections 8 by a single pivot-scrcwi), or in other suitable manner. This slotted coupling-plate 0rsingletree permits the passage ofone of the levers of the-toggle mechanism by-means of which the valves are shifted, and in the case of a single valve-rod would have as its equivalent a longitudinal central slot insaid rod.

10-indicates a cross-bar or movement-trame for the support of the toggle mechanism, which'frame-may be-secured to the opposite valve-pockets 5 5, as at 10 10, or otherwise suitably supported within the inner ringl.

5o Erected on said frame is atoggle-post 11 or vertical support, (see Figs. 2 and 5,) which passes-to one'side of the valve-rod 8, and is of-sueh form 'as'to permit the free movement ofisaidvalve-rod. On the lower part of the post 11 is alug or projection 11 for the piv oted attachment of the lower leverof the toggle mechanism, and projectingfrom the face of the postat a point above the valverod S are two guide-pinsll 11", which may be pro- 6o vided withanti-friction sleeves, if desired,

12 indicates the lower member or lever of a toggle mechanism, said lever pivoted below, as at 12, on the lug or projection 11 of post 11. Said lever passes through the valve-rod or through the slot of singletree 9 (see Fig. at) and connects with the second member or lever 13 of the toggle above the valve-rod 8, which upper member-13 of the-toggle stands between the twoguide-pins 11 11 of post 11.

1% (see Figs. 2 and 6) indicates a shifting toggle-weight of such general form as to slide vertically upon the rear face of togglepost 11, which acts as a guide therefor. On the upper end of the shifting toggle weight 14: is a projecting pin 14, provided with an antifriction sleeve or roller, if desired, which pin projects through the guide-slot 11 of the toggle-post 11' and is provided-with a-saddleblock 15, (see Fig.2, whicln ri-des -uponrthe upper member 13of thetoggle'mechanism;

11 isa-vertical slot in'the upper partof weight 14, through which passesaguidescrewlat", (see Fig; 3,) whiclrpreserves the. relation of post 11 and weight ll-duringthc'rise'and fall of the weight.

To a'toggle mechanismof the general character hereinbefore described the piston or bellows-head which impart motion maybe connected inany suitable manner. In the present instance there are shown for-suclrpurpose-spiders A A, attached to theheads -13 of the bellows, with lazy-tongs or pivoted levers C C pivotallyseeuredat D D to the spiders A, having,.1notion-li11ks E=,one lover of each lazy-tongsanchored to'the inner ring 4, as at-F F; w-hilethe other-lever of' each lazy-tongs is connected pivotally to a sliding. block G, vertically movable on a guidepost ll, secured inthe center of said inner rings; Pivoted on said vertically-movm ble'bloc-k, as at 7t, is a pitman orrod K vthe opposite end of which-is connected with one armof a crank or elbowlever 16, said lever pivoted, as at 11, to a-toggle-post 11 andconnected by a link. 17 withthemember 13 of the togglemechanisin hereinloelt'ore described; As the bellows-headsor pistons 13 B have a continuoustravelout and in,-the movement transmitted to the toggle mechanismwould be continuous or progressive unless provision were made to guard against it and provide for the operation of the toggle mechanism only at the close of the bellows-stroke when the valves are to be shifted-on reversed.

Therefore the connection between crank-leverpiston-s or bellows-heads B13 inany suitable manner;

L, Fig. 1, indicatesthe usual registering mechanism, which may be operated from the bellows head B'by levers M, pawls' N, and

ratchet-wheel O, or by other efficient means, to register the volume of gas or other fluid which passes through the meter.

The general operation of the meter is the same as others of this class, in so far as the movement of the bellows or pistons is utilized to reverse the valves, and also in so far as the meter alternately receives and discharges from opposite sides of the pistons or bellows-heads; but in our invention the valverod is moved or shifted by one member 12 of a toggle mechanism acting on the valve-rod, said toggle mechanism 1.2 13 being moved to the central position by the mechanism which connects it with the progressivelymoving bellows, and the toggle is then instantly thrown to the right or left, as the case may be, by the weight 14, having saddle 15, acting on the upper member 13 of the toggle to obtain an instantaneous reversal of the valves, and as the weight acts 011 the valve-rod through the intermediate toggle mechanism it effectually locks the valves on their seats until the instant of reversal arrives. As the valvechambers and valves are located in the upper part of the meter, all moisture from condensation or other source will drain away from the valves and meter, while the valve-pockets arranged below the valve will trap and rett-in any dirt or dust, thus guarding the valves and meter against the entrance thereof.

It is evident that the toggle mechanism might be weighted by a spring acting on the upper member 13, as well as by the vertical sliding weight and saddle chosen for purposes of illustration; but as such a construction, though like in kind, is not equally effective for all purposes, we have chosen as the preferred manner of weighting toggle mechanism a weight instead of a spring.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a meter, the combination, with the valve-rod, of a toggle-joint, one of the levers of which actuates the valve-rod, a weight for reversing the toggle, and suitable direct connections between the levers or links of the toggle-joint and a moving part of the meter, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In a meter, the combination, with the valve-rod, of a slotted plate or singletrce, a toggle mechanism which engages the slotted plate or singletree, a weight for reversing the toggle, and suitable connections between the toggle-joint and a moving part of the meter, substantially as and for the purposes speci tied.

3. In a meter, the combination, with the valve rod, of a toggle-joint, one of the levers of which actuates the valve-rod, a verticallysliding weight for reversing the toggle, and suitable direct connections between the levers or links of the toggle-joint and a moving part 4. In a meter, the combination, with the valve-rod, of a toggle-joint actuated from a moving part of the meter and which acts on the valve-rod, a toggle-reversing weight, and a saddle which is pivoted to the weight and rests on the toggle, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. In a meter, the combination, with the valve-rod, of a toggle-post, a toggle-joint pivoted to the toggle-post and connected with a moving part of the meter, and a verticallysliding weight which rests on the toggle-joint and is guided by the toggle-post, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

6. In a meter, the combination, with a sectional valve-rod, of a slotted singletree or plate pivoted 011 each of the rod-sections, a toggle mechanism one member of which passes through the slotted plate or singletree, and connections between the toggle mechanism and a moving part of the meter, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. In a meter, the combination, with the valve-rod, of a toggle-post provided with guide-pins for the toggle mechanism, toggle mechanism pivoted to the toggle-post and arranged to actuate the Valve-rod, a slotted weight which acts on the toggle mechanism and is ar'anged to slide on the toggle-post, and a guide screw or pin which maintains the relation of the weight to the post, substantially. as and for the purposes specified.

8. In a meter, the combination, with the valve-rod, of a toggle'post, toggle mechanism pivoted on said post, aweight sliding on said togglepost and acting on said toggle mechanism, and a slotted elbow-lever and link directly connected to the togglelevers for actuating said toggle mechanism from a moving part of the meter, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

9. In a meter, the combination, with the valve-rod, of a weighted toggle mechanism for reversing the valves, a lazy-tongs movement or pivoted levers connected with the bellows-head and having one arm anchored on a fixed portion of the meter and the other pivoted to a movable block, a guide-post for the movable block, and a rod or pitman which connects the movable block with the toggle mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. In a meter, the combination, with the valve-rod, of toggle mechanism 12 13, sliding weight 14?, interposed saddle 15, slotted elbow or crank lever 16, interposed link 17, and means for actuating crank-lever 16 from a moving part of the meter, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

11. In a meter, the combination, with a valve-rod composed of sections 8 S, of the pivoted slottedplate or singletree 9, toggle mechanism 12 13, sliding weight 14, interposed saddle 15, and means for actuating the toggle mechanism from a moving part of the meter, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

Eki

In testimony whereof We al'iix our signatures, [O in presence of two witnesses, this 12th day of August, 1890.

JOHN FTIDHAM'. JACOB B. XVALLACE.

Vitnesses: I F. L. GALLAGHER,

J. 11'. LOGAN. 

